rcjp

^Oh thanks for clearing that up. I hope I can upload the WB photos today.

Thanks. I would really like to see Six Flags Dubai happening, especially if it really has all those coasters.

Big

After a visit to Warner Madrid with the pass thingy I managed 20 rides on superman. In the end I was running out of time but I still managed it.

While I can't really call Parque Warner Madrid my home park due to the distance (it's not even in the same country), it's the closest I have and after a recent visit, I still maintain superman is the best ride.

^&^^ Thanks. Yeah that all I had to do at the "park" so lots of nerdy shots. Yes it was odd. More like a "dynamic" train rather than a normal coaster. It's funny how my first spinner is one of the biggest. It was a really nice ride with some bits of air and laterals. Also fairly long.

Last ones great ride reaching the top weeee !!! upside down coming to tornado again turning then I decided I need to cool down you're about to get very wet! see? by now I was already soaked and a second after this eve more log flume now thee they go tunnel dropping skloosh more logs well, time to say goodbye now... and to abismo too and this thingy (now with people in it) one last look and leaving

Continuing... Second try Drop Loop and kind of messy supports Corkscrew (felt a lot like B&M's older ones) Helix!! Twistyyy! Loop again Turn into the lift. Wheel assembly Now this was odd. The train was sitting in the station like this and I asked what was going on. The guy answered that they were waiting for 24 riders to fill the train. What!? Well, at least I didn't wait much. Chain Tarantula from tornado's station sexy track turn after the loop Loop again here they come dopping looping corkscrewing "Helixing"!!! Didn't bother to try this. This really sexy angle again with train! didn't ride this either this I did through the trees this was just hanging around here (really, it was stopped) these things are always fun another credit! this way theming more of it cresting the lift water ride right next to it take the tunnel!!!! they about to get seriously wet there they go around 90 DEGREES! turning for the drive tire enthusiasts for the chain lift wheel enthusiasts for the odd gerstlauer anti-rollback enthusiasts train more theming first drop and turn lift structure thee they go also odd one-sided magnetic brakes which cause the train to shuffle in an odd way here we are again from the bottom of the park entrance (the main one) Next ride!

Part 2 - Parque de Atracciones de Madrid This was a place I had never been to. It was also the first time I went to a park alone as my parents were already going with me to Warner the following day. It was Friday and I got there 20 minutes before opening. To my surprise they only opened the doors at 12 (opening time) and I went running straight to Abismo (the ride I was looking forward to the most and also because it only has one train). Got two rides with little wait then I hit tarántula and so on. The crowds were minimal and lines were always very short. That being said, as they were only running one train in attractions which had more so they weren't so fast (but not too long either). I think the most I waited was 25 minutes. Overall the place was nice with decent attractions, plenty of trees (which was nice due to the heat) and nice atmosphere. Still, operations weren't very efficient and it didn't feel as "professional" as some bigger parks I've been visiting. Here are my reviews for the main rides: Abismo (6x) - My first Maurer Söhne and only my second looping ride with lap bars. I'm not really a big fan of hang-time so I wasn't expecting to like the beginning but, to my surprise, it was very fun (and you got a nice upside down view of Madrid too). The restraints were comfy and the ride was smooth. That airtime hill gave some proper air and either the trim before the station wasn't working or I didn't feel it. Anyway, there was a pop of air before the station. My favourite ride at the park. Tornado (7x) - My first intamin inverted coaster (excluding the shuttle ones) and it was okay. More forceful than I expected but not very smooth. I could avoid head-banging by leaning my head back against the headrest. The corkscrew felt very B&Mish but the helix could have been more forceful. Still a nice ride, my second favourite at the park. Comparing it to the batman clone I rode the following day, it didn't have the same non-stop action as that (probably because the turns between inversions weren't very fast or forceful) Tarántula (3x) - My first (wow, I got a lot of "firsts" here) spinning coaster and had a great time. It didn't spin too much but the layout was fun. Smooth and had some moments of air. It was also reasonably long. TNT Tren de la Mina - I don't really know what to say as I usually don't ride these family coasters. Still, I enjoyed it and it fitted the park and area well. Just one thing: I noticed that during braking the trains shook in a odd way which I assume is because the brake fins are on only one side and as a result, the force is not evenly distributed across the cars. Nothing too bad, though. Vertigo - The first time I bothered to try a wild mouse and it was what I expected (maybe a bit more violent) and it had some pops of air. When I was pushed against the side of the train it was fine but g«being pushed against the seat divider was a bit uncomfortable. Lanzadera (3x) - Despite not being very tall this intmain drop tower does pack quite a nice punch and has that classic "freefall" sensation that apparently the newer ones don't have (haven't tried those, only 1st and 2nd gen). I also rode the star flyer which gave some great views of the city and park. First look Here we are Running across the park towards this Drop tower Funky lift This is for later A closer look Drop Track nerds! The camera wasn't taking pictures today Twistyyy!!!! I quite enjoyed the weird lift, which I wasn't expecting. Seeing Madrid upside down is funny. The drop again Now to Tarántula Theming bits Lift and first MCBR with a car braking.. Fangs Brake run First turn. The ride was pretty fun although in the brakes, when the train is set straight it hurt my legs a bit. Overbank Here they go! Twisting This hill gave some proper air! Overbanks are always fun. Near-immelmann thingy the turn again Oh, look! We're in Paris! My first intamin full circuit invert It was closed. Oh intamin... Log flume Love this angle. The track looks so sexy! Another first for me. Airtime hill of awesomeness More than 90 DEGREES!! The trim wasn't working (at least I didn't feel it) Coming down Into some air This drop tower wasn't massive, but really good. Star flyer in the distance Upside down! Sort of upside down! Ahhh.... That free falling feeling Some fountains. The park looked really good with all these trees and vegetation. Airtime! Take a guess: another first for me! It's not that tall, so.... Getting closer This is how I like my queues. These girls (which you can't see) were screaming way to loud for my ears. Typical wild mouse turns. Tires! track It's was fun, with some pops of air in the middle

^I was rather odd, yeah. But still fun (and scary when I almost lifted out of my seat)

So this summer my parents decided to make a trip to the Basque Country in Spain which, originally, included no parks. Naturally I tried to convince them to visit at least one and so on our way back home we made a stop in Madrid for me to check Parque De Atracciones (which I had never been to) and Warner which I had visited in 2006 and 2007. But first.... Completely by chance I came across a POV of a coaster in a little park in San Sebastián (which we were visiting) and it happens to be the world's oldest operating steel coaster. The park is located on top of a mountain and it has great views. We were in a bit of a hurry so the coaster was the only ride I tried (the rest wasn't very interesting for me anyway). Part 1 - Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo The view was quite nice. The GPS sent us through a really scary narrow twisty road! It doesn't look like it in the picture but it was nerve-racking to know that at any moment we could crash a car coming the other way. Getting higher. and higher San Sebastián's beach "La Concha" Impressive views. At last! Finally the terrifying road came to an end. Some bumper cars. This boat ride thingy with the coaster on top. Another perspective. For the lift nerds! (I'm actually one) The lift was rather fast! Lift hill. The first hill. Small hill. Here they come! Credit! Station and train (with brakeman) The track (more like rails, really) Sweet view. Transfer track/rails and second train. A closer look. Yes, no up-stop wheels will go here. Coming in. Front seat! (these photos were taken with permission) No restraints, seatbelts whatsoever! Double down. Going over the boats. Sea. Lift pov The biggest drop. The ride was fun. Nothing special but the drops weren't so bad given the absence of restraints. Very smooth too. Some random slides for kids. Another look at the view. and one more... I don't know what this tower is. Cresting the hill. Into the lift. Take the tunnel!!!! More track. Still don't know what this is. Back seat POV! Transfer track. And train. I had no idea what the camera was taking picture of when I snapped this one. Backwards POV! In the back I nearly got some air on the double down which is pretty impressive given that I would have flown out if there was (and so would the train due to the lack of up-stop wheels). Cable POV. Lift One more look at this wheel. Going up. And about to go down. There was nothing there stopping you from grabbing the lift cable. Want proof? See? (I was not actually touching it, obviously) Saying goodbye. Nice ride. Didn't experience the rest of the park but had a nice time. the view was great and the coaster was fun. So if you happen to go to San Sebastián, check this.

^I actually would like to see a wing coaster with a swooping drop. Especially now that B&M has these new "pre-dropless" ones which seem to give a bit of a snap.

And flash pass.

^That has to be one of the best Tom Cruise scenes ever!

^I do often wonder why there aren't more flyers around. Everyone (mostly GP) is hysterical about the "flying sensation" on wing coasters but it's the flyers that actually deliver it!

Now that would definitely make roller coasters dangerous!

^Is it supposed to stop? Some coasters coasters squeak all the time (although not as much)

live and let die- Paul McCartney & Wings

That plus switching their lap bars for skyrush's restraints. What's worse than a roller coaster only having a seatbelt which goes around your neck?

Your parents plan a trip to a place which includes no parts but with your persuasive powers, in the end you'll be going to two.

^Does this mean it's finally fixed?

^I was going to say the same. It looks like everyone is desperately trying to make something "new" and we end up with things like this. I don't see the point at all. I'm not a big fan of 4d coasters (I think those already are a little bit forced) but I'm fine while this just doesn't make much sense to me. What about investing in making the rides themselves better (or cheaper so that they are more accessible)? Just a thought.

Is that a bad thing? A RCCA giga coaster. What's worse than the next giga coaster dropping riders straight into the brake run?

^Just one thing, you've written 2014. sorry

I think I've never suffered a lot due to heat in amusement parks. That being said, in a week I'll be going to two parks in Madrid and right now they say it will be pretty hot, so I'll see then.